REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
El Camino Real Temporary Bicycle Lanes (Shariat)
Report
BACKGROUND
In October 2020, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Member Kratz requested to have the BPAC discuss temporary bicycle lanes on El Camino Real (Attachment 1). Member Kratz would like to initiate a pilot program to place temporary “no parking signs” and “bike lane” signs along El Camino Real for a one-year time period. Currently, there is no City Council policy or program regarding temporary bicycle lanes.
DISCUSSION
El Camino Real is a major arterial with six travel lanes, on-street parking, a 35mph speed limit and extends across the City from the City limit lines of Sunnyvale and San Jose. El Camino Real is a State highway and under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Therefore, any pilot project or permanent improvement must be reviewed and ultimately approved by Caltrans.
El Camino Real has insufficient space to install a temporary bicycle lane in addition to the existing travel and parking lanes. Therefore, a parking study is required to analyze the effects of removing parking.
In December 2020, the City released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the El Camino Real Specific Plan (Specific Plan). This project was presented to BPAC in June 2020 and September 2020 for review and comment. The Specific Plan proposes to permanently remove on-street parking to accommodate a protected bicycle lane in conjunction with redevelopment and new land uses (Attachment 2). The plan is anticipated to be presented to City Council in June 2021. Based on this, staff believes that any discussion regarding temporary bicycle lanes on El Camino Real be included within the Council discussion of the Specific Plan. The Specific Plan is a comprehensive document that provides overall context for the El Camino Real corridor, has had extensive community and property owner coordination throughout the Specific Plan process, and will analyze the option to remove parking to accommodate future bicycle facilities. Additionally, as there is no City Council policy or program related to temporary bicycle facilities, staff would need to create a policy/program for Council consideration.
Staff does not recommend initiating a separate effort regarding temporary bicycle facilities on El Camino Real.
BPAC may review and comment on the Specific Plan DEIR to advise City Council to support action to install bicycle lanes on El Camino Real. Public comments may be submitted up to January 25, 2021 and the document can be found at the following webpage: <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/specific-plans/el-camino-real>.
Staff
Written by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Planner, Public Works
Reviewed by: Jonathan Yee, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. Annual Work Plan Topic Request Form
2. ROW Alternative for El Camino Real Specific Plan